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Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games souvenirs were made in China, while most of the merchandise at the Glasgow Games in 2014 was made in Bangladesh and China.

More than 90 per cent of London Olympics merchandise was made outside Britain, including 60 per cent in China.

GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters it was "absolutely standard practice" to have large quantities of merchandise produced overseas.

"One of the challenges you have is that you have to make such a quantity and variety of them that it requires a whole lot of production capability and you needs things quickly," Mr Peters told AAP.

"For local manufacturers, for them to invest in all additional equipment when we come and go reasonably quickly is why (master licensee) Matevents and others will source the product normally from overseas."

Mr Peters said a source code allowed organisers to ensure contractors enforced ethical factory practices and 50 per cent of merchandise work was going to local companies.

Games organisers have previously been criticised for overlooking Australian talent when searching for ceremony choreographers.

In October, former Sydney Olympics ringmaster Ric Birch expressed disappointment after GOLDOC chose six top press operational officers from overseas.

In response, GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie said the organisers had simply recruited those with "impeccable qualifications and recent experiences applicable to the position".

Australians have held similar positions at recent Commonwealth and Olympic Games around the world.